field trial

American  

noun

1. a competition among sporting dogs under natural conditions in the field, in which the animals are judged on the basis of excellence of performance in hunting.

2. a trial of a new product or procedure to determine its efficiency or usefulness in actual performance.

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field trial British  

noun

1. hunting a test of or contest between gun dogs to determine their proficiency and standard of training in retrieving or pointing

2. (often plural) a test to display performance, efficiency, or durability, as of a vehicle or invention

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Etymology

Origin of field trial

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In their field trial, the researchers collected dozens of measurements of the lava in different locations and at different times.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

In early 2021 Keith and Frank Keutsch, an atmospheric chemist at Harvard, were planning the first SRM field trial.

From Scientific American • Sep. 20, 2023

After a brief field trial, she was convicted.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2023

Martin will begin a field trial next month and Choe hopes to start one this summer.

From Science Magazine • May 22, 2022

Earlier in the season, while running in a field trial the very dog who had brought the visitors here, his horse had fallen, crushing Arnold's knee.

From Frank of Freedom Hill by Derieux, Samuel A. (Samuel Arthur)